Panthers gaining confidence

By Rex Kirts

Three weeks ago it was like the switch was flipped and light filled the room.
Suddenly the Panthers started "getting it." Practices perked up as knowledge sunk in. There was spring in their steps, and plays were run with a crispness instead of a plod.
Practices became normal. No longer did coach Kirk Kennedy have to spend tons of minutes simply getting his team to respond. The base program was in, and now the Panthers could make some progress.
The Panthers lost at Pike but played better. Last week they didn't always play better, but they won a game, beating Columbus North.
Now on Friday they wind up the regular season at Perry Meridian, hoping for a couple of things. They want to continue to play better, they want to gain revenge for an embarrassing loss last year and they want to move up in the Conference Indiana standings.
SOUTH AND PERRY MERIDIAN are both 2-6 overall and tied for fifth in the conference at 2-4. The winner could wind up as high as tied for fourth. Lawrence Central and Pike lead the league at 5-1, followed by Southport at 4-2 and Columbus at 3-3. Franklin Central is also 2-4 and Bloomington North 1-5.
Other league games this week are Lawrence Central at Bloomington North, Pike at Franklin Central and Southport at Columbus.
"Perry is very fundamentally sound," Kennedy said. "They're not overly big, but they execute well. They don't try to trick anybody - they just try to play harder than their opponents.
"They run a lot of option and try to lull you to sleep with the fullback. By far the fullback and the quarterback have the most carries."
Last year Perry came to South winless and using several underclassmen but played inspired football and handed the Panthers a major defeat. So the Panthers realize Perry represents a program that needs respect and that the game is a challenge.
The style of football Kennedy coaches is beginning to settle in with his first Souoth team.
"OUR PRACTICE HABITS, our attitude are improving," Kennedy said. "We're gaining momentum. That showed at times at Pike and again against Columbus. They are taking responsibility and working hard."
Kennedy came in with the reputation of being basic with the running game. But he does have razzle-dazzle in the playbook, and a couple of those plays, halfback and wide receiver passes, were important in the wins over Bloomington North and Columbus North.
"The key is just getting good at something, something like the iso," Kennedy said. The iso is an inside run by the tailback with the fullback "isolating" (blocking) on the linebacker.
"I never said we were just going to run but were going to establish the run. That opens up the playbook."
Against Columbus, the Panthers controlled the ball, and that's something Kennedy loves. They had 13 first downs to eight for Columbus.
"WE RAN 62 PLAYS (15 were passes)," Kennedy said. Our defense was enhanced by what our offense was able to do. We ran a lot of clock, shortened the game, established field position.
"So there's things on offense we accomplished without points. But, we want points, we'll take 'em."
Asked what it is the Panthers have established with the running game so far, Kennedy said, "Nothing, really. But the power I is helping us. It's consistency is leading to confidence."
The important result of the late-season improvement, Kennedy said, is the kids are starting to believe in the system.
All the effort is starting to reap rewards. Practice is working the way it's supposed to. The program foundation is being laid.